Tag: disciples

My heart was troubled for the past days. This got triggered when I learned something about someone so dear to me. It somehow broke my heart for the fact that she did not tell me about it immediately when she has been open to me about a lot of things. And also, the fact that she pursues something that somehow I thought she would be wiser and spiritually mature enough to make such choice.

Three important things that God is teaching me these past days.

One – this circumstance made me reflect on how I should be as a discipler. I went back to the One who started it all. How was Jesus as a discipler? How was Jesus when He knew that Judas would betray Him? When Peter would deny Him? When the disciples hid and ran away? All of these did not stop Jesus to love them and all the more He prayed for them. I got reminded (not the first time) of how I have to let go the people that God has entrusted me to disciple. Let go, meaning not to stop discipling them but to let God take care of them when they choose certain things which we might think would not be good for them.

Second – this also reminded me of God’s heart. I realize that if my heart aches for my disciples when they choose to do things that are not in obedience to God, God’s heart who has the perfect standard must be aching more for all of us when we do things that are not pleasing to Him.

Lastly – it also made me reflect being a disciple. I realize that I, myself also do not tell everything to my discipler. It could be that I feel like I am not doing anything wrong or I could be scared that I might get judged or I just don’t feel the need of telling. And probably, the girls I disciple are also feeling the same thing that’s why they don’t tell me the things that I thought they would tell me. For whatever reason, I must learn to respect and just continue trusting God who knows the deepest of their hearts.

Overall, I am humbled. God reminded me that the most important that I can do for the girls I disciple are to love them and pray for them. I am also truly grateful for the disciplers that God has used to help me in my walk with Him. I am thankful that they allowed me to depend not on them but on God alone.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (Jesus’ prayer for the disciples – John 17)

I’m so blessed to be a part of other people’s lives by seeing them grow in their walk with God. As we say we are Christian, we must then believe that we are also commanded to make disciples just like what Jesus did with the chosen twelve. And to be a disciple and to make disciple is a privilege in our Christian walk. It must not be a burden for us but a joy as we experience God’s transforming power in our lives.

And being part of a discipleship group is never boring. It’s a great time of knowing the Lord deeper, knowing one another deeper, encouraging and praying for each other. It’s a venue where you can be yourself without fear of being judged. You get to travel together, do fun things together. And the other best part – there is always food! Haha!

I’m glad to be a part of a discipleship group. If you are not part of any, I hope you would start stepping out of your comfort zone and start reaching out. As our senior pastor said, (reason for not joining a discipleship group) if you think you don’t need help, then, be the one to give help. And I totally agree! Today, someone might need your encouragement, your blessing, your prayer. Don’t miss out on such a privilege!

I’d really like to celebrate this milestone in my life with my family. However, since I live away from them, I didn’t get to. But, last month, I had a chance to be will all of them, with my brother also back from UK, somehow, I still was able to spend my 30th in advance. 🙂

We went to to a beach resort in Dumaguete and also celebrated in advance my mom’s 60th since my brother has to go back to UK. So grateful that we were able to get together!

I got to spend my birthday in advance with my disciples together with other April celebrants also (Kim and Glow). We had a picnic at Ayala Triangle in Makati. We just love celebrating birthdays! I’m so blessed to disciple these awesome ladies!

My dear friend and sister in Christ Nang Yan also came over to my place days before my birthday. She brought the cutest cake ever and the rest of the food! But, I was really touched when everyone in her family came over too. So grateful that they also joined in celebrating. Very blessed!

And on my BDAY! Haha! I had a morning walk and catch up with my jogging buddy Ann at Capitol Commons in Pasig, since we haven’t seen each other since her Holy Land tour. After which we had our breakfast in Starbucks which the staff really had nice and friendly service. Ann gave me a stone from the brook where Gideon was testing God and a very cute pair of earrings.

Funny thing happened, because my friend Rhodes called me when I was in Starbucks and asked me if I was already awake. I told her I was in Capitol Commons and she told me she was at my place. Haha! She planned to surprise me with my roommate, Kim as her accomplice but Kim failed to inform her I went out to jog. Haha! And so, she waited at my place until I got back.

That’s her waiting at the hallway. Haha! But, I still got surprised. We had plans for the night so I didn’t really expect she would do something like this. She brought a fully loaded breakfast with all my favorite!

The plan for the night was to go to the salon and get our hair cuts. I wanted a short hair and so I convinced her to get one too. And, no regrets! After that, we went to my favorite Korean convenience store to enjoy a Korean birthday meal. Too bad we didn’t have container for the seaweed soup. But still, we enjoyed! So grateful for Rhodes to celebrate it with me.

Looking forward for more celebrations with some more friends! Thank You Lord for the gift of relationships! Would be so sad to celebrate birthday alone… Praise God!